Thursday, August 25, 2011

Cures For Humans With Fleas

Some fleas live in human hair.


Three types of fleas commonly bite humans: the dog flea, the cat flea and the human flea. This third flea, Pulex Irritans, sometimes lives in human hair. Other species use human hair as transportation on their way to another animal. Flea bites leave itchy red bumps. Scratching them may lead to infection. Worse, fleas can transmit tapeworm larvae and spread bubonic plague and typhus.








Drowning the Fleas


Give yourself a flea bath.


Since fleas need to breathe, drowning them in the bathtub is a good solution. Run the water as hot as you can tolerate. Add a generous squirt of plain detergent and some lemon extract, both of which will kill fleas. Lather your hair with your regular shampoo and leave it in throughout your bath. Wash thoroughly with a sponge, especially between the toes and all around the hairline where fleas like to hide. After rinsing off, use a fine-tooth comb and slowly comb your hair from root to end. If you find any fleas, drown them in a bowl of soapy water.


Chemical Cures


Many chemical products will help clear your environs of fleas so they can't hop back on. You can buy flea bombs for use inside the house. Other products will work in the yard. If you don't like using chemicals in your house, weigh the risks of a flea infestation against the discomfort and possible danger of a flea infestation.


Natural Cures


Try vacuuming the little pests.


According to Flea Control Guide, some people swear that eating garlic repels fleas. A better bet is vacuuming, which will reduce the number of fleas but probably won't eliminate them. Another option is something called diatomaceous earth. This is soil with tiny sharp edges that will cut up fleas and other small bugs. The cuts cause the fleas to lose so much water that they die of dehydration. However, this does not solve the problem of flea eggs. Flea traps are one other chemical-free possibility. The traps consist of a small grid over a glue pad. Fleas fall through and get stuck.


Managing Fleas on Pets


Fleas usually fleas hitch a ride inside on the family pet.


People with flea problems are usually pet owners. Managing the flea population on your pets will go a long way toward resolving your own flea situation. Give Fido a flea bath, use a flea collar, limit your pet's access to the outdoors and keep other dogs from your yard.


Treat the Itching


While you're treating the cause, don't forget to ease the symptom. Wash bites with antiseptic soap. If the bites swell, use an ice pack. Calamine lotion or a 1% hydrocortisone cream, sold over the counter, can reduce itching.

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